Hong Kong lawmaker urges firms to expand into emerging markets amid US visa pause
Hong Kong companies should accelerate their expansion into the Middle East, the Asean bloc and Central Asia to reduce their exposure to geopolitical risks, a lawmaker has said, as the US moved to disrupt immigrant-visa appointments worldwide. Jonathan Lamport, the representative for the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) in the Legislative Council, said the visa uncertainty reinforced…
Hong Kong's representative for the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce urged local firms to broaden their overseas presence during a US visa pause. Jonathan Lamport warned of increased geopolitical risks and called for diversification away from traditional Western markets, such as the US and Europe. The disruption affects immigrant visa appointments, which grant permanent residency in the United States, rather than temporary business or tourist visas.
The US State Department said appointments for visa services would be adjusted as officers received training at embassies and consulates. Companies are urged to keep relationships with traditional markets while accelerating expansion into emerging markets like the Middle East, Asean, and Central Asia.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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